Making My Bed – That Wonderful Point Called Glue-up
The new owner of the bed called and we talked about delivery in time for New Year’s eve. That saved me a couple of late nights and working Christmas day. It’s been a special week for me this week. Not sure why, but I think it’s because it’s been so quiet, relaxed and happy in spite of the challenges of completing so many things before the Christmas deadlines. I think pacing yourself is important but I also think that without pressure we often under achieve. Making realistic goals helps us to achieve and avoid disappointment and additionally achieve that rare ingredient in current societal strata, fulfilment.
My hands coax the best from the grain. Seconds and strokes exchange place I look beneath the plane and scraper to halt at that critical point when unity reigns and I see emerge that splendid composition hitherto unseen.
Gluing up takes a final call and I call it with cautious apprehension, even after I just completed the final dry-run and rehearsal. Yes, everything seated, but I feel for tightness and tensions between every piece and ease what’s necessary by intuition. My experience tells me this one will ‘glue-freeze’ and I reconsider, pare and try again for feel. When I feel settled I move yet again to the next.
So many close tenons in one glue up can freeze the whole frame before even one piece fully seats because to get each stave in place means placing, insertion and pressure. I work from one end. clamp the first and then work along from end to end until all are in place. Only then can I apply pressure along the length. The joints resist but I know what I must do. Combining the hammer with the clamps resolves momentary rebellion and the joint moves into place with a pop.
Glue freeze is worsened when a seal locks air in the mortice and this too is met by more force. Suddenly all of the joints are in place and seated close enough for me to relax and apply more clamps. This is very satisfying I think.
With that done I feel set to glue the posts and tenons together. I did deal with all the flawed surfaces as I planed, scraped and sanded.
the best of luck delivering this piece i hope you have a decent size staircase
Any chance you could show the finished panel with the inlay? It looked very nice.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Scott from New Jersey
Paul,
Being an excellent craftsman and artist, you are also a captivating writer. I feel the tension, relief, and satisfaction as you glue the pieces together. Your writing makes me feel like I am right there with you. Have a wonderful New Year.
Karl from PA
This would be a perfect project to demonstrate use of the bandsaw Paul.